Paul Wahlberg, HGA to be honored by the Harbor

Published 6:00 pm, Tuesday, October 29, 2002

Boys & Girls Harbors Rainbow Over the Harbor Gala at The Metropolitan will honor Paul Wahlberg and the Houston Golf Association Nov. 16.

HGAs Professional Golf Tournament, now known as the Shell Houston Open, has been one of Boys & Girls Harbors primary sources of funds over the years.

In 1974, HGA created its Charity Selection Committee, with Wahlberg as chair, a position he still maintains.

After a visit, Wahlberg decided to make the Harbor the recipient of all the proceeds from the 1974 tournament.##M:(full story)##

What the Harbor accomplishes with its wonderful children, along with its mission of providing shelter, nutrition, guidance and love, is why it remains one of our core charities after 28 years, he says.

Established in 1947 to provide homes for abandoned boys, Harbors program today offers healthy, comprehensive care for children and families in crisis.

For children who are experiencing family hardship, neglect, abandonment or abuse, the Harbor provides a family environment in a home setting.

Some children live at the campus for a year or longer.

From the beginning, we did not want the children to think they were getting something for nothing. So, the committee requested that the Harbor provide a group of uniformed workers to perform a prescribed task at the tournament, recalls Wahlberg.

I was already in charge of course cleanup, a job I do not take lightly, says Wahlberg, a Texas A&M graduate (Class of 50) and owner of Wahlberg Wright - Architects.

That first year, 56 Harbor boys, dressed in jeans and T-shirts that said Houston Open on the front and Boys Harbor on the back, took responsibility of cleanup for the entire Quail Valley course. Each boy was assigned to a specific area and was told to keep it spotless during the tournament.

As I checked on the boys throughout the day, I realized that the patrons were responding positively to the children, who were going about their job of picking up cans and other trash in a responsible manner, he recounts. The children made such a positive impression on the gallery then, and they still do today.

That first year the Harbor received $30,000 and used it to buy a 56-passenger bus, which could carry the entire Harbor community, recalls Wahlberg.

Today he spends most of his time working on the HGA charities program.

Besides my family, I am the most proud of the number of people the Houston Golf Association and my committee have had the opportunity to help and the impact our actions have had on the lives of others.

In 1978, the HGA began adding other charities.

The HGA is extremely proud of the relationship we have with Boys & Girls Harbor and, in exchange for all the volunteer work they have provided us, from 1974 to 2002, we have provided the Harbor with $1,824,201. I believe our relationship is very healthy, says Wahlberg.

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For information on the November 16 event, call the Harbor office, 713-688-6262.